Take a bow, Zach Thomas. The former Miami Dolphins linebacker was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this week, and at least one of his former opponents has to be feeling happy for him. Legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees once described Thomas as one of the most underappreciated enforcers of his generation.
Brees only played against Thomas three times, all with the then-San Diego Chargers in the early days of his career, but the 5-foot-11, 228-pound linebacker left a strong impression. He was intercepted by Thomas on his very first pass attempt in their 2002 matchup, and he was tackled by Thomas twice. Brees remembers both hits well, telling ESPN in 2021: “That dude was like a rolling ball of butcher knives. Here he is, this undersized middle linebacker, and yet he would make every tackle. And when he’d hit you, he hit you so damn hard.”
